The launch involved the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. It delivered a satellite built by Virginia-based Orbital Sciences to a destination more than 55,000 miles above Earth, or about one-quarter of the way to the moon, reports Reuters' Irene Klotz.

The rocket traveled for about 30 minutes before delivering the satellite, says SpaceX. This is one of about 50 SpaceX rocket missions the company has scheduled for government and commercial customers.